Explore records, photographs, and stories from the people and places that shaped our community.
Search Our DatabaseWelcome to the Benton County Historical Society & Museum
Preserving the stories, artifacts, and heritage of Benton County, Minnesota since 1949.
Upcoming Event
Stories Among the Stones: A Lantern Tour of the Benton County Cemetery — Part II
October 15, 2026 • 5:30 PM • Benton County Cemetery
Join us for Part II of our popular lantern tour of the Benton County Cemetery — uncovering stories of those who came before us, including victims of the 1886 Cyclone and early settlers. Post-tour social hour with refreshments and a viewing of our authentic 1880s funeral coach.
📅 Today in History
United States
• 1775 The United States Marines are organized.
• 1917 41 suffragists are arrested in front of the White House
Minnesota
• Minnesota water drains in three directions: north to Hudson Bay, east to the Atlantic Ocean, and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
• Prairie landscapes shape much of western and southern Minnesota.
Benton County
• In October 1918, 175 influenza cases were reported in the Foley area.
• Sauk Rapids was separately organized as a village in 1881.